Property inspection checklist for Indian homes

Before you go

• Visit in daylight and, if you can, after rain, when seepage shows best.
• Carry a phone charger or plug-in tester, a torch, a marble or small ball to check floor slope, and tissue paper to spot leaks.
• Ask for the approved floor plan so you can compare rooms and fittings with what was promised.

Kitchen

• Run the sink for two minutes and check below it for drips and smell.
• Check the platform, tiles and joints for cracks and hollow-sounding tiles.
• Test sockets for the chimney, fridge, microwave and water purifier, and check the exhaust fan.
• Look at the gas pipeline route and that the window or ventilation opens fully.

Bathrooms

• Flush every toilet and run hot and cold water in every tap and shower.
• Pour a bucket of water on the floor: it should drain fully with no pooling.
• Check walls on the other side of the bathroom for damp patches, a sign of hidden leaks.
• Check the geyser point, exhaust fan and the slope of the floor towards the drain.

Bedrooms and living room

• Open and lock every door and window; check hinges, handles and that windows seal.
• Test every switch, socket, fan and light point; note any that spark, buzz or feel warm.
• Look at ceilings and corners for cracks, peeling paint and damp stains.
• Check wardrobe shutters, channels and locks, and the balcony door and railing.

Common points and the building

• Check the main switchboard and earthing, the water meter or tank supply, and the lift and fire safety in the building.
• Ask about water supply hours, power backup and society maintenance charges.
• For a new flat, note every defect in a written snag list for the builder.

After the inspection

Share the photo list with the seller, owner or builder and agree in writing what will be fixed and by when. For a purchase, you can also use it to renegotiate. For a rental, attach it to the agreement so the deposit is not deducted for problems that were already there.

Questions, answered.